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Interview with Lisa Wiedmeier

Earlier this year, Lisa Wiedmeier, author of The Timeless Series Novels, visited to discuss her first novel, Cheyenne. In celebration of her much anticipated second book, Promises, Authors to Watch will be hosting Timeless Week: A Celebration of the Timeless Series Novels. Timeless Week kicks off today with the re-publication of Lisa's first interview. If you're a huge Cheyenne fan like I am, be sure to visit this page each day to stay updated on all the Timeless happenings: character interviews, a Q&A with Lisa, and the latest warnings about the CATTS epidemic sweeping the nation. Don't know what CATTS is? Then you'd better stay tuned...

Synopsis of Cheyenne:Murder, romance, secrets and hidden pasts. Deception from every angle—who's telling the truth?

Cheyenne Wilson's life is thrown into turmoil after her adoptive parents are killed in an accident. With only her best friend Colt to comfort her, she scours through the family archives, hoping to quell her grief. Instead she begins to unravel the mystery behind her birth parents, and her secret heritage. She is a Timeless- a being that ages one year for every hundred human years when they reach their twenties- and of the royal line, destined to gain great power.

But Cheyenne has other problems. The ones who killed her parents want her too, and Colt is hiding something of his own. Surrounded by danger and with few she can trust, Cheyenne must face the dark truth of her past, and choose between a forbidden love that will forever hold her heart, or her destiny...

Tricia: Lisa, thanks so much for talking with me. Cheyenne seems to be doing very well since its release last fall. Can you tell our readers a little about the book?

Lisa: Cheyenne is a story about a young woman whose life is turned upside down. It follows Cheyenne's turbulent journey after the death of her parents as she discovers who she truly is and what she's meant to become.

Now with that said, I asked a friend, who shall remain anonymous, what her opinion was… Her reply, “It's about an author's self indulgence during a difficult time in her life and other people seemed to like it too.” Of course I fell off my chair laughing, which was her intent!

T: Having read the book, I know there are some valuable lessons embedded in the novel. Beside the fact that it’s a wonderful, entertaining story, what do you want your readers to take with them after they’ve read your books?

L: Overall, the Timeless Series Novels are about the struggle with one finding themselves and reaching deeper to become what they were always meant to be. There's always more if you look deeper, so I'd hope they don't take things so superficially and that they will look more carefully at seemingly trivial things in their own lives

T: If you had to pick a favorite character from Cheyenne, who would it be and why?

L: Oh, wow… that’s a hard one. Cheyenne is near and dear to my heart as she is a part of me, but I guess I’d have to say it was a toss up between Colt and Daniel. They both have that free, easy going personality… but then again you’ve got Callon whose layers are so deep and complex you want to dig in to find out more. Does that help?

T: I’ve heard a rumor that you’ve already written eight books in The Timeless Series. Eight?!! I also understand the second book, Promises, will be published this coming Spring or Summer. Can you tell us about this new book?

L: There are eight novels in the Timeless Series all of which need to go through a revision before they will be released. I also have a ninth in the works, Sahara, the story of Cheyenne’s mother. Then there is the possibility of a tenth, a story involving Callon and the Timeless Race Timeline.

And then there is Promises, the second book in the Timeless Series. I’m aiming for an early Spring/Summer release date. It’s hard to pinpoint an exact date yet as I’m only halfway through the revisions that need to be done before hitting the copy editor.

Promises is the continuation of Cheyenne’s story. Cheyenne has been through a lot in her short life. In Promises she is much stronger and more determined; however, there is one thing that may break her completely apart.

Here’s the overview for you:

Cheyenne is determined to seek the light of truth in a web of darkness, but at what cost?

Still reeling from the revelations of her secret birthright and fated betrothals, Cheyenne's thoughts tumble over her whirlwind past year since the death of her parents. Vowing to close herself off to spare her heart more pain, she keeps her distance and seeks her own path. But Colt, Daniel and Callon are constantly at her side, not giving her room to breathe or letting her come to terms with her destiny. At the same time, her transformation into a Timeless begins: a process that could very well kill her. As if that wasn't enough, her enemies are still out for her blood, and nowhere is safe. Though new allies appear to protect her from the unseen dangers, which ones are friend and which are foe?

And can Cheyenne stand the ultimate pain of all . . .

T: As a published author, what advice can you offer someone who is just getting started in the writing business?

L: Do your research and explore all your options before determining what is right for you. I submitted queries to agents for over a year with what I would call positive rejections. The work is promising, but not what we’re looking for right now. I went the Indie Author route as it was a good fit for me, but be aware that being an Independent Author is no cakewalk.

If you’re just starting the writing process or even been writing for a long time, I’d recommend getting involved in writing groups. I joined on online group called Authonomy and have gained much more knowledge from other writers in the same boat as I. Now beware, that any writing group is not perfect and you need to make sure you guard yourself. But if you have thick skin, receive comments/suggestions on your own writing, and give it in return the rewards will be great.

T: With everything on your plate—family obligations, running a business, marketing your books—how do you find time to write?

L: And they call me turbo writer…. LOL, okay not really anymore. It’s a bit odd to me as I was able to write these eight novels in just eighteen months and yet now when I’m trying to make the revisions on the series I find myself struggling to get enough time set aside to complete the task as quickly as I’d have expected. I just don’t understand why the real world won’t leave me alone!

I think that most writers who also work have difficulties balancing their priorities. Some days I get a lot accomplished and others I do nothing but market myself to death. It’s a fine line and I’m still working out the details on a daily and sometimes hourly basis.

Thankfully I have a supportive family. They, for the most part, leave me alone in my bedroom to do my writing while intermittently throwing scraps of food my way. Oh and then there is the occasional knock on the door with them asking if I would be planning on cooking again anytime soon in the foreseeable future.

T: Beyond the Timeless Series Novels, what other projects are you working on right now?

L: I have a series, which I titled The Gate. It’s more fantasy than anything else and I’m excited about moving it along. However, it’s been put on the back burner as I’ve been trying to accomplish the revisions on the Timeless Series. Here’s a little snapshot of what’s going to take place…

Addy is looking forward to her senior year, going to prom, making new friends. But her world is turned upside down when her father announces they're moving. And not just up state- they're going to Ireland, where he hopes to continue his research into a cure for her mother's illness.

Along the way she stumbles across the mysterious Keir, a young man hiding dark secrets. Her curiosity gets the better of her, and Addy is suddenly thrown into a dangerous new world filled with deception, magic, friendship and betrayal. Can she survive this new kingdom; more importantly, will she ever return home?

T: Lisa, thank you so much for talking with me.

The official release date for Promises is May 25th. Want a sneak peek? Well, I've got the goods right here:

Synopsis of Promises

Cheyenne is determined to seek the light of truth in a web of darkness, but at what cost?

Still reeling from the revelations of her secret birthright and fated betrothals, Cheyenne's thoughts tumble over the whirlwind of life since the death of her parents. Vowing to close herself off to spare her heart more pain, she keeps her distance and seeks her own path. But Colt, Daniel and Callon are constantly at her side, not giving her room to breathe or let her come to terms with her destiny. At the same time, her transformation into a Timeless begins; a process that could very well kill her. As if that wasn't enough, her enemies are still out for her blood, and no-where is safe. Though new allies appear to protect her from the unseen dangers, which ones are friend and which are foe?

And can Cheyenne stand the ultimate pain of all...

If you’re interested in learning more about the Timeless Series Novels, or other works by Lisa Wiedmeier, please click on the following links:

Lisa Wiedmeier is a self-employed bookkeeper who lives in Idaho with her loving husband, two sons and crazy dog Mandi. She has tamed the wilderness of her imagination and she has recently completed eight novels in her Timeless Series, with a ninth book upcoming and a new novel The Gate also in the works.